FIA launches sweeping crackdown on corrupt officials at IIAP

Islamabad : In a sweeping crackdown, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Islamabad Zone has taken disciplinary action against 19 officials stationed at the FIA Immigration Checkpost at Islamabad International Airport (IIAP). Following complaints of corruption and misconduct, four officials have been dismissed from government service, 13 demoted, and two transferred to administrative roles.

The decision was prompted by numerous complaints alleging that officials were involved in bribery and other illegal practices, according to FIA sources. Islamabad Zone Director Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari personally initiated the investigation into the allegations, calling for hearings to evaluate each case. After individual hearings in September, authorities determined that the accused could not justify their conduct in light of the charges.

In the massive action taken on financial corruption based punishments to the officials serving at IIAP, the authorities of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Islamabad Zone dismissed 4 officers and staff members from government jobs and demoted 13 and 2 closed to administration after the found guilty during the course of inquiry.

The decision was prompted by numerous complaints alleging that officials were involved in bribery and other illegal practices, according to FIA sources. Islamabad Zone Director Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari personally initiated the investigation into the allegations, calling for hearings to evaluate each case. After individual hearings in September, authorities determined that the accused could not justify their conduct in light of the charges.

The authorities served show-cause notices to the officials upon receiving complaints of involvement the officials in corrupt practices, bribery and other illegal activities, the FIA sources maintained.

Director FIA Islamabad Zone, Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari, took action against FIA immigration staff at the Islamabad International Airport due to complaints of corruption and serious misconduct and initiated inquiry to ascertain the facts, the sources said, adding that after the personal hearing, the accused found guilty. The Director dismissed four officers from government service, while 13 officials were demoted, two were suspended and transferred to the admin branch.

The dismissed individuals include Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Asim Gulzar, Head Constable Habib Ahmed, Saeedullah, and Lady Constable Nimra, all stationed at Islamabad Airport. Among the 11 who faced demotion due to serious allegations are ASI Muhammad Faheem, Usman Aslam, Tahir Safeer, Shafqat Haider, Waseem Abbas, Head Constables Naeem Shehzad, Fayyaz Hassan, Zeeshan Babar, Irfan Khan, Asif Khan Niazi, Muhammad Hafeez, among others.

Sub-Inspector Talat Naseem, assigned to FIA Immigration at Islamabad Airport, has been transferred to the Admin Branch, while ASI Sheikh Waseem has been suspended and also transferred to the Admin Branch.

The sources said that the office orders were disposed of the show-cause notices against the accused officials, the FIA Islamabad under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rule, 2020, issued letters to the accused officials for further inquiries, adding that the accused officials were heard in person in September, 2024 in Orderly Room. During the personal hearing, the accused could not justify their conduct with regards to the charges levelled against them.

After considering all facts and material available on record, the Director FIA Islamabad Zone, in his capacity as “Authority” reached to the conclusion that the charges contained in the statements of allegations and grounds of action levelled against the accused officials have been proved, the authority said in the decision letters, saying that the accused have been awarded punishment under the Civil Servants (E&D) Rule, 2020.